Carluccio’s appoints new Openings Manager

Carluccio’s has appointed Dominika Rusnak as its Fresca Openings Manager. She joins the group’s senior management team to support the brand’s ‘Fresca’ transformation programme.

Dominika joins Carluccio’s from The Ivy Collection, where she was Senior Openings Manager. Prior to that she worked for a number of casual dining restaurants groups including Strada and Pizza Express.

Carluccio’s CEO, Mark Jones said of the appointment: “I am delighted that our Fresca project has attracted talented quality operators to help us lead our transformation. Dominika returns to Carluccio’s having been a General Manager in 2015 and, her familiarity with the brand combined with her experience with new openings, training and front of house, makes her integral to driving our new generation sites.”

Dominika Rusnak said: “With change comes opportunity and I am really excited to see the Fresca project roll out across the estate. It is not only the new look and menu that repositions Carluccio’s, but the service that customers receive. I am looking forward to enhancing this part of the business with the team.”

Her appointment comes in the wake of a number of strategic hires to drive the £10 million transformation programme, which started last month with the reopening of its Richmond restaurant. Carluccio’s recently brought in Graham Ford (from Bill’s) as its Commercial Director, Hilary Ansell (from Gordon Ramsay Group) as Marketing Director and Marco Barletta as Operations Manager (Franco Manco).